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Nanoparticles, due to their unique structure, often possess an enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. These particles can preferentially accumulate in tumors, resulting in higher drug concentrations at targeted sites and consequently higher therapeutic efficacy with lower toxicity for surrounding normal tissue. Also nanoparticle carriers can be designed to encapsulate and deliver cancer drugs having poor water solubility. These favorable characteristics render nanoparticles as promising potential delivery systems for cancer therapies.

For clinical therapeutics, there is a great need to develop new approaches to fight chronic and incurable diseases and further improve the efficiency of medical treatments. The current research focus and opportunities for nanomedicine in therapeutics include the development of rapid and accurate analytical techniques, safe and targeted drug delivery systems, improved controlled drug release systems, and the discovery of alternative and innovative therapeutic methods. In this article, I will specifically discuss the use of nanoparticles for drug delivery.

This is the third article in a review series of “Nanomedicine: A Vast Horizon on a Molecular Landscape”. In Part I we discussed the major research and development areas in the field. Then, we briefly introduced some representative research groups and companies and their patents in nanomedicine (Part II). Here, we will start the discussion about the diagnostic applications of nanomedicine.

In the last article, “Nanomedicine: A Vast Horizon from a Molecular Landscape-Part I, Introduction,” I briefly introduced the new and exciting field of “Nanomedicine” and reviewed the current funding support and areas of research and development. In this installment, I will first focus on representative companies and organizations and their researchers, and then close with a review of key interesting patents in this field.

Nanomedicine Companies

The state of Connecticut has committed significant resources in support of new innovation in bioscience and nanomedicine. Through Connecticut Innovations (“CI”), the state’s quasi-government investment fund, the state has two focused support programs: the Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund (“CBIF”) and the Regenerative Medicine Research Fund (“RMRF”), to facilitate the transition of bench-top innovation towards commercialization. Through CBIF, for example, the state is committed to investing $200 million over 10 years to support the research and development of local research institutes and entrepreneurs in bioscience. . These state initiatives continue to encourage the growth of nanomedicine companies.

As a scientist with a background in mechanical engineering and biomaterials, I am always interested in studying the latest developments and trends for new materials and am fascinated by the forefront of biotechnology. In this article I focus on the relatively young field of “Nanomedicine”. My goal is to provide a general overview on the state-of-the-art in this important and growing field and to give a brief introduction of the broad technology areas. In future articles I will feature representative prominent biotechnology companies and research institutes. As pointed out below, a large number of patents have already issued in this area. I also plan to discuss the progress in each subcategory, focusing on product commercialization, research and development, relevant patents, and law or regulatory policies in nanomedicine.